In the human body, soreness is a symptom of stress. It can indicate rapidgrowth or long neglect, the beginning of repair or the end of exertion.Religion both generates and heals sore spots. Not only institutionalreligions but all forms of spiritual practices and beliefs can be used toprobe wounds, or as a salve; they can medicate, or can celebrate recovery.

The Religion and Theatre Focus Group of the Association for Theatre inHigher Education (ATHE) seeks submissions of one-act plays and solo works,approximately 20 minutes in length, that mix the above metaphors in anycombination for presentation at ATHE's 2007 conference in New Orleans,arguably the sorest spot in the nation. All plays and solo works must besubmitted electronically in MS Word. Selected plays will be given directedreadings by actors as part of the Religion and Theatre pre-conference (July24-25), and again during the main ATHE conference (July 26-29) in the formof a mini-festival. Readings will take place in a conference room setting,so no technical support will be provided.

Scripts must be submitted via email as Word documents by February 15,2007. Submissions should be made to<mailto:laura.pattillo_at_sju.edu>laura.pattillo_at_sju.edu. The subject headingshould read "ATHE R&T Play entry, TITLE OF SHOW," with the name of yourplay in all caps in place of the phrase "title of show." This will help uskeep the submissions organized. Please include the name of the playwrightand contact information with your submission. We will consider only onesubmission from each playwright. Playwrights whose work is selected mustattend the pre-conference and the conference. The list of plays selectedwill be announced by May 1, 2007.

If you need further information about the festival or the call, pleasecontact Dr. Laura Grace Pattillo at Saint Joseph's University inPhiladelphia at the email address above or by phone at 610-660-1386.